Are you struggling with WordPress local SEO and getting your site noticed in local searches?
SEO can be tricky, and local SEO has its own set of challenges. But here’s the good news: we’ve been helping small business owners win at SEO for years. We know what it takes to rank in the search results and get more traffic to your website.
Local SEO is more than just using the right keywords. It’s about attracting potential customers who live right around the corner.
In this article, we will show you the ultimate WordPress local SEO guide to get your website noticed by your local customers.
What Is Local SEO?
Local SEO is a type of search engine optimization (SEO) that helps local businesses get found by users searching online.
For example, if you run a pizza place in your area, then local SEO can make your business appear at the top of relevant search engine results pages (SERPs).
Search engines use algorithms to understand a user’s location and offer relevant local search results. They look at the person’s IP address, the search query, and business listings to associate businesses with specific locations. Optimizing your online presence for local searches can help you drive more organic traffic and attract potential customers in your area. This is why local SEO is an important digital marketing strategy for small businesses.
What Are Local SEO Ranking Factors?
Local SEO ranking factors are what search engines look at when they are deciding which local businesses should appear at the top of search results.
Here are some key factors that influence local rankings:
- Google Business listing – This free Google tool allows businesses to manage their online presence across Search and Maps. Having your company listed here will make it easier for users to find you.
- Reviews – Comments from customers are like social proof. They can influence local search rankings because they show potential buyers that other people have had a good experience with your business.
- Relevance to search query – This means making sure your business information and content match the searcher’s keywords.
- NAP consistency – Short for Name, Address, and Phone number, it’s important that these details are consistent across all your online platforms to avoid confusion.
- Proximity to the searcher – This refers to how close your business is to the person doing the search. Search engines often rank businesses closer to the searcher.
Other standard search ranking factors, such as website performance, high-quality content, and user experience, can also affect where your web pages rank on search engine results pages.
WordPress Local SEO Guide
Now, let’s look at some of the best WordPress SEO practices to rank for local searches. You can use the quick links below to navigate through our tutorial:
- Create a Google Business Profile
- Install a WordPress SEO Plugin With Local SEO Features
- Add Google Maps to Your WordPress Site
- Do Local Keyword Research
- Create Website Content for Local Search
- List Your Business in Local Business Directories
- Get Customers to Leave Online Reviews
- Don’t Forget About User Experience
- Track Your Website Performance Regularly
1. Create a Google Business Profile
A Google Business Profile, also known as Google My Business, is a free and powerful tool that can help your business appear in local organic searches. It acts like a digital storefront that appears on Google Maps and Search results when people look for businesses like yours in their area.
Steps to Create a Google Business Profile:
- Head over to Google Business and click ‘Manage now.’
- Sign in with your Google account.
- Enter your business name and continue with creating a new business if it doesn’t appear in the search.
- Choose your business type and category.
- Enter your business address and position the pin on the map.
- Enter your contact phone number.
- Verify your business ownership and manage your business details.
Pro Tip: Besides Google Maps, Apple Maps is another popular mapping platform people use to find local businesses. Our guide on how to optimize your site’s SEO for DuckDuckGo includes a handy tutorial on how to add your business to Apple Maps.
2. Install a WordPress SEO Plugin With Local SEO Features
Having a Google Business Profile is a great first step, but it’s not the only tool in your local SEO toolbox. A WordPress plugin with local SEO features can also help your website rank better in Google search results.
Recommended Plugin: All in One SEO (AIOSEO)
This WordPress plugin makes it easy to set up your local business schema without using code. For more information about using AIOSEO’s local SEO features.
3. Add Google Maps to Your WordPress Site
Adding Google Maps to your website can increase your chances of ranking higher in local searches by enhancing local SEO signals, improving user experience, and serving as social proof with reviews.
Steps:
- Use AIOSEO to add your business’s Google Maps listing to your WordPress site.
- Embed a Google Map on your website.
- Create an interactive map for your site or landing page.
4. Do Local Keyword Research
Local keyword research is essential for understanding what people in your area are searching for online. Use tools like Semrush to discover relevant keywords and their search volumes.
5. Create Website Content for Local Search
Creating content specifically for your local audience helps attract potential customers and establish your expertise. Optimize these blog posts using on-page SEO techniques like relevant keywords in titles, meta descriptions, and image alt text.
6. List Your Business in Local Business Directories
Register your business with various platforms recognized in your local area. This improves your search engine rankings for local searches and increases traffic to your website.
7. Get Customers to Leave Online Reviews
Encourage customers to leave online reviews on platforms like Google, Yelp, Trustpilot, and social media. Positive reviews improve your local SEO by increasing mentions of your business online.
8. Don’t Forget About User Experience
A user-friendly website is key to converting visitors into customers. Improve your website’s navigation, mobile-friendliness, loading speeds, content relevance, and technical SEO.
9. Track Your Website Performance Regularly
Track key metrics like website traffic, local search rankings, conversion rates, and user engagement to monitor your SEO efforts. Use tools like Google Analytics and MonsterInsights for detailed insights.
WordPress Local SEO: Frequently Asked Questions
How long does local SEO take to work? Local SEO can start showing results within a few weeks to a few months, depending on factors like market competitiveness and the quality of your SEO efforts. For more information, check out our article on how long website SEO takes to show results.
Who should use local SEO? Local SEO is beneficial for businesses that operate in a specific geographic area, such as restaurants, plumbers, or local retailers. It’s also suitable for businesses that want to attract customers from a certain region.
Which is better: local SEO or paid search? Local SEO is cost-effective and builds a long-term online presence, while paid search ads can provide immediate visibility and targeted results. Ideally, it’s best to use both for a strong online presence.
Does blogging help local SEO? Yes, blogging about relevant local content can improve your website’s rankings and establish you as an expert in your industry.
Is local SEO still relevant? Absolutely. More and more people search online before buying locally to make informed decisions and choose the best business for their needs. Local SEO helps people find you by making your online presence more visible to your target audience.
By following these steps and continuously optimizing your website, you can improve your local SEO, increase your online visibility, and attract more local customers to your business.
